POLITICS 315 Nationalism and Identity Course syllabus Course coordinator: Dr James Headley Semester 2 2014 Course description This course explores the major debates and themes in the study of nations and nationalism. The first half of the course examines the notion of identity, the concepts of nation and ethnicity, the origins of nations and nationalism, and the historical development of nationalism from the nineteenth century to the post-Cold War period. The second half of the course examines contemporary debates about nationalism, including the basis of national identity, national identity in an international context, poly-ethnic and multinational states, and self-determination and secession. A variety of examples from around the world are used to illustrate. Course details Lecturer: Dr James Headley Office Hours: Mon 2-3, Thurs 1-2 (or by appointment) Room 4S1, 4th Floor, Arts Building Tel: 479 8616 Email: [email protected] Lectures and tutorials: There are two lectures per week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:00-10:50am. The lectures are designed to give an introduction to the main themes and issues of the course. They combine theoretical and empirical analysis of nationalism and associated issues, using a range of examples. I will give a skeletal handout for each lecture, but it is up to you to take relevant notes. Sometimes it may be necessary to complete the topic of a lecture in the following lecture as they do not always fit conveniently into 50-minute time slots. There will also be one tutorial per week (times/groups to be arranged), starting week two, for student-centred discussion and debate of readings relating to topics covered in the lectures. Although the tutorials are not compulsory, they are an essential part of the course and will help you to understand the topics covered and assessed. It is important that you prepare for the tutorials so that you will be able to contribute constructively to class discussions. This means doing the required reading on the topic for discussion. I will put discussion questions for you to consider before each tutorial on Blackboard. Please remember to switch off your mobile phones before the lectures and tutorials start. Assessment: • One written assignment, 3000 words maximum (40%) • Two critical reviews, 1000 words maximum each (15% each) • Final exam: two hours, two essay questions (30%) Course objectives By the end of the course students should be able to: • demonstrate an understanding of the key concepts and theories of nationalism; • show knowledge of nationalism in the past and in the contemporary world; • display awareness of the ways in which national identity is constructed and contested; • apply their understanding of nationalism in written analysis; • identify and critically evaluate relevant theoretical and empirical literature on nationalism. 2 Provisional lecture and tutorial outline Theme Week Lecture date Lecture topic Tutorial topic Tues 8 July Introduction to course 1 - Thurs 10 July Case study: Kosovo Tues 15 July Forms of identity 2 What is a nation? Thurs 17 July Theories/typologies of nations and nationalism Theories of Tues 22 July Nationalism in 19th Century Europe 3 Theories of historical nationalism nationalism Thurs 24 July Nationalism and the World Wars and Tues 29 July Western and Eastern nationalisms? 4 The Age of Nationalism historical Thurs 31 July Decolonisation and post-colonial nation building development Tues 5 Aug Case studies: India and Sudan 5 After empire Thurs 7 Aug After the Cold War Tues 12 Aug The former Soviet Union 6 After Communism Thurs 14 Aug Case study: Ukraine 3 Tues 19 Aug Former Yugoslavia 7 - Thurs 21 Aug Case study: the Bosnian War (videos) BREAK Tues 2 Sept Constructing national identity 8 - Thurs 4 Sept Gender and the nation Tues 9 Sept National identity and international relations 9 Symbolising the nation Thurs 11 Sept Culture in national identity Tues 16 Sept Ideology and values in national identity Nations and 10 Culture and values Thurs 18 Sept Poly-ethnic states nationalism Tues 23 Sept Case study: the United States today 11 Poly-ethnic states Thurs 25 Sept Multinational states Tues 30 Sept Self-determination and secession Secessionism and self- 12 Thurs 2 Oct Case study: the United Kingdom determination Tues 7 Oct Beyond nationalism? 13 Beyond nationalism? Thurs 9 Oct Revision Assessment Critical reviews (30%) Deadlines: Monday 18 August (1st review on one of tutorials 1-5) Friday 10 October (2nd review on one of tutorials 6-10) Word limit: 1000 words max. You will write two critical reviews of a maximum 1000 words each, and each worth 15% of your overall mark. The first review relates to your choice of one of the tutorial topics 1-5, and the second review relates to your choice of one of the tutorial topics 6-10. The critical review should address the issues raised in the readings for one tutorial and the questions discussed at the tutorial. Use the tutorial discussion questions on Blackboard as a guide. The review will be assessed on the basis of your understanding of the issues and the clarity of your analysis. Content In the critical review you should: − show how the readings relate to the key issues for this topic; − show what the readings argue in relation to those issues; − assess the strengths and weaknesses of the arguments in the readings; − show how the readings relate to each other; − give your response to the readings and justify it: • do you agree with the arguments of one or other or both of the readings? • what is your opinion of the topic? e.g. is it important? why/why not? • refer to relevant examples/cases as evidence where appropriate. Referencing and sources You do not need to refer to sources beyond the two tutorial readings for that topic: the point is to engage with the readings directly and show your understanding of the issues raised. You do not need to cite the two readings you are discussing – you only need to cite the author and the page number(s) where appropriate. If you do refer to another source, reference it with a footnote or endnote using a recognised academic reference style. You do not need a bibliography. Style The critical review should adhere to the same stylistic and grammatical requirements as an essay/research paper: − use paragraphs to structure your review; − do not use abbreviations or colloquialisms; − it is fine to use the first person (‘I believe that…’, ‘my view is that…’); − punctuate and spell correctly; − proofread it carefully; − do not exceed the word limit (1000 words). 4 Research essay (40%) Deadline: Monday 29 September Word limit: 3000 words max. Analyse a case of nationalism in the contemporary world. For this assignment, you will focus on a particular country or sub-state region to consider some of the topics explored in the course. The essay must be an analysis: you must consider the case in the context of nationalism as covered in the course, rather than simply give a description of the case. Questions to be covered may include: − what are the key issues involved? − what are the aims of the relevant groups? − are theories of nationalism useful for understanding the issues? − what does the case show about the nature of nationalism in the contemporary world? For the purpose of this essay, ‘nationalism’ can be interpreted broadly to include cases of sub-state nationalism (e.g. demands by a group within a state for autonomy or independence), state- sponsored nationalism (e.g. promotion of national identity, repression of minorities), everyday nationalism and development of national identity, nationalist political movements, etc.. However, you should explain why your case is a study of ‘nationalism’ (applying definitions and theories that we have discussed). Please set yourself a specific question that will help you to focus the analysis and to present a developed argument backed up by evidence, and check the question and topic with me. The essay will be assessed on the basis of the following criteria: − structure and organisation; − analytical development; − relevant research (you should use a range of appropriate sources, including books, articles, internet sources, news sources, and official documents); − understanding of the issues; − contextualisation of the case; − application of theory; − clarity of style; − correct use and formatting of references and bibliography (I will accept any of the widely- used academic reference styles as long as you are consistent); − correct grammar and spelling; − not exceeding the word limit. You should plan the essay carefully so that it develops a coherent argument, with clearly ‘signposted’ links between sections. You may use headings for sections, but not too many as it makes it disjointed, and make sure that you still explain the links between sections. Proofread the working draft carefully to check that each sentence is clear and grammatical. Advice on essay writing and referencing can be found on the Student Learning Website at http://hedc.otago.ac.nz/hedc/sld.html 5 Formatting and submitting coursework Please use 1.5 or double spacing for all coursework, and full justify. You may print the assignments double-sided. For the research essay, make sure that you provide a full bibliography of sources used. Essays and reviews must be put in the 300-level essay box by the corridor to the Politics Department (Arts Building, 4th floor, North end) by 4.30pm on the due date. You must attach a cover sheet (template on Blackboard) to the hard copy giving number and title of paper, title of essay/review, your name and id. number, date of submission, word count (excluding bibliography), and signed plagiarism declaration: Declaration: I have read and understood the University plagiarism policy. I declare that this assignment is entirely my own work, all sources have been properly acknowledged, and that I have not previously submitted this work, or any version of it, for assessment in any other paper.